Where can I see Sketch of a Man with Upraised Arm and Sketch of a Helmet (verso)?

Sketch of a Man with Upraised Arm and Sketch of a Helmet (verso) is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Sketch of a Man with Upraised Arm and Sketch of a Helmet (verso)?

Sketch of a Man with Upraised Arm and Sketch of a Helmet (verso) is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Sketch of a Man with Upraised Arm and Sketch of a Helmet (verso)

Sketch of a Man with Upraised Arm and Sketch of a Helmet (verso) is a drawing by the Impressionist artist Édouard Detaille. It dates from 1878 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

This 1878 drawing by Édouard Detaille features two sketches on a single sheet of paper: a detailed study of a helmet and a figure with an upraised arm. The work is executed in pencil on off-white paper, now bearing some brown stains.

Subject & Meaning

The sketches reflect Detaille's focus on military subjects and his attention to accuracy in depicting equipment and the human form. The studies may have served as preparatory work for larger compositions.

Technique & Style

Detaille's precise and realistic style is evident in the intricate details of the helmet and the naturalistic rendering of the figure's arm. The use of pencil allows for a range of tonal values and textures.

History & Provenance

The drawing is part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection. As a prominent military artist, Detaille worked as a 'semi-official artist of the French army,' producing detailed depictions of military life and equipment.

Artist & collection

Artist

Édouard Detaille

Jean-Baptiste Édouard Detaille (French pronunciation: ; 5 October 1848 – 23 December 1912) was a French academic painter and military artist noted for his precision and realistic detail.